Takeoff, on-third of the rap-trio Migos, has been shot dead at a party in Texas.
The 28-year-old was reportedly playing a game of dice with his bandmate Quavo when he was shot in the head at a bowling alley in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Quavo was said to have been unharmed in the attack but two others were injured and taken to hospital, according to the police.
Takeoff, whose real name is Kirshnik Khari Ball, formed one part of the famed hip-hop trio Migos, along with Quavo, who’s his uncle, and his cousin Offset.
Despite being his uncle, Quavo was just three years Takeoff’s senior. The two were raised by Quavo’s mother, Edna in the town of Lawrenceville in Georgia.
The trio first rose to prominence with the single “Versace” in 2013. According to hip-hop writer Joe Coscarelli, Takeoff was at this moment the hardest working of the trio, “putting in the most early hours.”
Their 2016 hit “Bad and Boujee”, featuring Lil Uzi Vert, catapulted the southern group to global stardom.
In the hours following his death, footage of the killing circulated online.
Actress Keke Palmer wrote, “This is horrible. From the tragedy of the death to the tragedy of there being a video of it online. It’s all just tragic and I am so sorry to his whole family and all he touched. Really terrible.”
Others to offer tributes to the late rapper include hip-hop titans Gucci Mane, Ja Rule and Kid Cudi.
In his tribute, the boxer Chris Eubank Jnr wrote, “Can’t believe I’m having to say this again about another young black star being killed for no reason, something really has to change in the industry.”
No arrests have been made yet following the shooting.
Compiled by Arthur Greene
Pictured above: Takeoff, member of Migos, has died aged 28
Source: @AppleMusic
